My Unreality

Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter characters etc.

Warning: Book 1-6 spoilers

A/N: Thankyou to all the reviews. I'm so sorry I've been terrible with updating but I've been unbelievably busy.

No Friend Of Mine

Harry tried to open his eyes but everything felt numb and heavy. A loud buzzing noise echoed in his head, and Harry had the distinct impression that something wasn't right.

”How is he feeling?” he heard someone ask in a concerned voice.

The buzzing in Harry's head grew lighter, and he could feel the heaviness in his body starting to wear off.

”His mind has gone into shock,” another muffled voice said slowly. “I don't know what could have caused this to happen, but…” the voice trailed off, and Harry could almost feel their eyes watching him. “He'll be fine.”

”But, it's been three days…”

”It's been three days…don't you think we should stop now?” the pale haired boy asked quietly.

”Don't even say it!” Harry yelled angrily. “He'll come back, Malfoy; I know it.”

Draco walked forward. “Ignoring it will only make it worse, Potter; you have to accept-“

”JUST SHUT UP!” Harry exploded, his emerald eyes flashing furiously.

Draco sighed. “Keep telling yourself that your precious Weasley isn't dead, but deep down you know he isn't coming back…”

Harry stared at the wall, completely ignoring the other boy.

”Potter,” Draco said harshly, “Weasley went missing three days ago…you know just as well as me that it's not because he's gone on holiday…”

Tears burned in Harry's eyes as Draco's words hit him like a sledgehammer. The brutal knowledge that his best friend would never laugh with him again, the sorrow he felt as Ron's face turned into a memory, everything was not fair…

”I'm sorry, Potter,” Draco said softly. “He didn't deserve this…”

”Harry, you're awake!” Lily exclaimed and pulled him into a hug, making Harry feel incredibly uncomfortable. He was not used to being hugged by anyone but Hermione.

”Mum,” Harry said quickly, pulling himself away, “What happened?”

Lily's smile faltered, and she looked at him keenly through her emerald eyes. “You went into a sort of coma. Madame Pomfrey says your mind went into shock and just closed itself off.”

Harry gasped, “So, I've been out for three days?”

Lily nodded. “I was getting worried, but you're okay now, so there's nothing to worry about.”

Harry frowned and looked away.

”What's wrong, Harry?” Lily asked concerned.

Harry shook his head. “It's nothing, mum. Um, can I ask what you're doing here anyway?”

Lily laughed. “Silly, I've been visiting your father, but Professor McGonagall told me about your little mishap.”

“Oh…” Harry said confused, wondering what that mishap was.

”Well, I'll come see you soon, alright? I have to go home and look after Adelle,” Lily said standing up.

Harry nodded and watched her leave. “Who's Adelle?” he said to himself once she had left.

Madame Pomfrey bustled in and fussed over Harry before declaring he was fine to go. Harry nodded and quickly left the Hospital Wing. It suddenly occurred to him that he didn't know just what he was supposed to be doing. To his great relief he saw Hermione walking past with her books clutched in her hands.

”Hey, Hermione!” Harry hollered coming to walk beside her. He noticed her raised eyebrow but decided to plunge on ahead anyway.

”Um, what class do I have now?” he asked quickly.

”You have Potions, Harry,” Hermione replied evenly and continued walking.

“H-hey, wait,” he stuttered and ran to catch up. “What's with you?”

”What's with you?” Hermione exclaimed, clearly frustrated. “You've been acting so…so weird lately. Not to mention you're talking to me for some reason.”

”What do you mean I've been acting weird?” Harry said puzzled. “And why wouldn't I talk to you?”

Hermione sighed. “Don't you remember anything?”

Harry stared at her bewildered. “I don't understand,” he said confused.

Hermione shook her head and continued walking. “Maybe you really did hurt yourself in there,” she muttered. “Not that it really matters much to me,” she said firmly and glared at him slightly. “If this is another one of your friends' games to make me look ridiculous again, I don't want any part of it. Just leave me alone, Harry.”

”Oh, c'mon, I wouldn't do anything to hurt you,” Harry said earnestly as he walked by her side.

Hermione raised her eyebrow and pushed open the Potions classroom, obviously trying to ignore Harry, but Harry wasn't going to let her get away that easily. She was the only person he could trust to help him with this, after all, how much different could she be in this world than from his own?

Hermione sat down at a table by herself, to which Harry promptly sat down next to her.

“What are you doing?” Hermione hissed angrily.

”Sitting by you. Is that a crime now?” Harry asked innocently.

Hermione scowled and pulled out her stuff. “Well, just don't get in my way.”

Harry grinned slightly and turned to look up at the teacher. It was Professor Snape, much to his surprise. Harry had always hated Snape during his school years, but something happened that would change how he viewed the man. Something he would never forget….

Harry sat up from the explosion and stared around feeling very dizzy. His eyes were swimming with black spots, and an odd ringing sound was echoing in his brain.

Someone groaned from underneath the rubble, and Harry stumbled his way over to find Severus Snape trapped under a large piece of building.

”Snape!” Harry exclaimed, surprised.

”You're okay?” Snape said sharply.

Harry nodded. “Fine.”

”Good,” Snape said, closing his eyes.

”I'm surprised to hear you say that,” Harry muttered.

Snape laughed bitterly. “Don't get me wrong. I still hate you, Potter. I hate the way you look, the way you act. I hate everything about you.”

”Then why—“

”I did it for Lily. I couldn't let her son die…not when you should've been mine.”

”Huh?” Harry said shocked. “What are you talking about?”

”I loved her. And he took her from me! Your face…is a constant reminder of that.”

”You loved…my mum?” Harry said quietly.

Snape nodded. “We were quite close at school, but things happened. Your father swept her off her feet eventually, and I was left with nothing but bitter memories.”

Harry frowned. “That's no excuse to hate me. I've done nothing.”

Snape laughed bitterly. “You're right.” He considered Harry through his cold black eyes and smiled slightly. “I always thought you were like your father, Potter. I see now I was wrong. You're more like Lily than you know.”

”Enough of that. We have to get out of here,” Harry said firmly as he stood up.

When Snape didn't answer, Harry knew it was too late. The man was already dead.

Harry knelt down by his old enemy and Potions teacher and stared at the face he had hated so much. “I think understand now,” Harry whispered. “I'm sorry…”

Snape's dark eyes glittered maliciously in the torchlight as he stared at the students. “Today we will be learning about Strengthening Solution. If any of you so much as think about sneaking some of the potion, it will be an instant detention.”

”See he hasn't changed much,” Harry muttered and leaned his head against his elbow.

”The ingredients are in the cupboard, and the instructions are on the board.” Snape said in his harsh voice and then sat down at his desk. It looked like he was marking some tests by all the parchment piled up.

Harry groaned slightly and made his way towards the cupboard. As he gathered his ingredients, he noticed Ron talking in a low voice to Seamus Finnigan. They looked at him through narrowed eyes and continued their fast mutterings.

Harry shrugged slightly and weaved his way through the cauldrons back to Hermione. She appeared to be busy measuring something and was still doing her best to ignore him.

”Hermione,” Harry said slowly, “Can you tell me what's with Ron?”

Hermione looked up at him surprised. “You really don't remember anything, do you?”

Harry looked down, feeling frustrated at how little he knew about this world. Everything was just so different here.

”The two of you used to be such good friends. But last year you were made Quidditch Captain, remember?”

Harry nodded. “Sure. So what happened then?”

Hermione raised her eyebrows again but didn't admonish him. “You removed him from the team. Said he wasn't good enough.”

Harry's mouth dropped open in shock. “I-what?”

Hermione nodded seriously. “After that, things just fell apart. You got into a fight a couple of weeks ago, and I think he's still angry that you won. I'd watch your back if I were you, Harry. He's definitely not going to let you off easy.”

Harry groaned and ran his hands over his face. “Just what I need,” he mumbled to himself.

Hermione stared at him curiously but didn't say anything.

”Well, I guess that clears up that. So what else has been going on?” Harry asked with some misgiving. From the sound of things, he was a total jerk in this world.

”Look, I'm not a Harry encyclopedia. It's not like I know everything about you. We hardly talk, remember?!” Hermione snapped grumpily.

”Whoa, calm down,” Harry said backing away slightly, “I didn't mean to make you angry.”

Hermione huffed slightly and started chopping up her potions ingredients.

”So, can you at least tell me why you hate me so much?” Harry asked her curiously.

Hermione's hand slipped on the knife and caught her finger; she stared at him incredulously, completely ignoring the blood dripping from her hand.

”Hey, you're bleeding!” Harry said, alarmed, and grabbed her hand away from the knife. He muttered a quick healing spell and smiled as her cut disappeared.

Hermione gazed at his hand holding hers with a fascinated look. Slowly she brought her eyes up to his, and Harry noticed the strange almost searching look in their honey brown depths.

”You're so different…” she said softly.

Harry quickly dropped her hand and pulled himself together. “I-uh, don't know what you mean.”

He looked around nervously and tried to avoid her questioning gaze.

“I know you've been acting weird lately, but it's like you're a different person,” Hermione said confused. “I don't understand what's going on.”

Harry frowned. “Something happened to me. I don't know what, but I can't remember anything.”

Hermione's eyes widened. “Do you think someone modified your memory?”

Harry shrugged. “Maybe.”

Of course he knew this wasn't the truth, but it was better to keep her in the dark at the moment. If he told her he was from another world, she'd just think he was crazy again.

”Okay, well, I guess I can help you,” Hermione said slowly, “Just tell me one thing.”

”What?”

”This isn't some kind of sick game, is it?” she asked quietly, her eyes downcast.

”I already told you. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. Please, just trust me,” Harry said earnestly.

Hermione looked up, and their eyes met. Harry willed her to see that he was being honest; he didn't know what he had done to her, but he hoped she would find it in her heart to forgive him.

Slowly she nodded. “I believe you.”

Harry let out a sigh of relief and smiled at her. “Thanks.”

Hermione merely nodded and continued with her work. Harry realised he had better get a move on with his potion, or else he'd be in a lot of trouble. It was lucky that he had gained a few tips about making Strengthening Solution during the war.

As Snape called for the students to bring up their potions, Harry quickly filled his vial and moved over to Snape. He handed the potion over and was surprised that Snape said nothing to Harry but merely nodded his head in Harry's direction.

Shrugging slightly, Harry followed Hermione out of the classroom and no sooner had he started walking towards the dungeon exit when he felt something very hard connect with his face.

Stumbling back, Harry rubbed a hand to his cheek and spat out a bit of blood. He looked around dizzily and saw Ron's dark blue eyes flashing with intense hatred.

”That's for the other week, Potter. Now we're even,” he said nastily and walked off, followed by Seamus and Dean.

Harry stared at his retreating back and felt a cool hand pull his hand away. It was Hermione.

”I told you to watch your back," Hermione scolded gently, while peering at his face. “Well, it looks like nothing is broken, but come with me to the Hospital Wing, and I'll get you some bruise salve.”

Harry nodded and followed her through the corridors, while trying to soothe his aching face.

”Why couldn't he have just cursed me?” Harry groaned.

Hermione laughed. “What, you'd rather be sprouting tentacles right now?”

Harry shook his head. Suddenly he realised what he had completely forgotten. “So, if I'm not friends with Ron…then who am I friends with?” Harry asked curiously.

”Neville Longbottom, William and Isabelle Black, you know.”

”Wait a minute!” Harry gasped. “William and Isabelle Black?”

Hermione nodded. “They're family friends. And, well, you became close friends too.”

Harry shook his head in wonderment. “How strange,” he said out loud.

”We're here,” Hermione said, interrupting Harry's thoughts, as she opened the Hospital Wing door.

Harry followed her in and surveyed the familiar white room. He watched as Hermione bustled around by the cupboards and came back with a foul smelling cream.

”Here, this will stop the bruising,” she said soothingly as she applied some of the cream to his face.

Harry stared into her face as she applied the cream. Her honey brown eyes were focused on his bruise, and her rosy pink lips were slightly parted as she concentrated. Strands of her bushy brown hair were falling about her pale face, and in one swift movement Harry had moved those silken strands behind her ears.

He didn't know why he had done it. All he knew was seeing her like that made him think of the Hermione he had lost, the girl who had always been there for him, to heal him when he was hurt.

Hermione blushed faintly and quickly stood back. “Well, it seems to be fine now. I think we should go,” she mumbled.

Harry nodded and stood up. “Yeah, let's go.”

A/N: So, tell me what you think ^_^